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A debate on the future funding of NICE approved drugs descended into a near-row over the state of Alderney's runway as Guernsey's Chief Minister clashed with one of Alderney's political representatives.
Deputy Lyndon Trott was speaking during the debate yesterday afternoon, when Alderney States Member Alex Snowdon repeatedly rose to make a point of order.
The Policy and Resources President started off by reminding the States that their recent decisions over the 2025 budget would primarily affect the islands' capital projects and not general spending.
He went on to reference "some very stupid comments" that had been made earlier in the day during a question and answer session focused on the decision to reduce the subsidy paid to Aurigny for the Public Service Obligation covering Alderney's air links.
He said it was "ridiculous" that people in Alderney have accused him, and P&R, of "playing with peoples' lives".
Mr Snowdon said it was clear that Deputy Trott was referring to Alderney's runway and that an incident in January where a Dornier aircraft 'aquaplaned' while taking off from the runway does constitute "playing with peoples' lives".
Pictured: Alderney States Member Alex Snowdon described the island's runway as being "end of life".
He was on his feet almost immediately when Deputy Trott started speaking again, to say that the Alderney runway was not relevant to the debate on funding NICE drugs. The Bailiff initially let Deputy Trott speak before rebuking him for calling Mr Snowdon's interjection "futile".
"...can I just encourage all members not to use language like 'futile' in relation to an interjection? This is a Parliamentary Assembly where people are expected to respect one another. And on that basis, I simply invite you to withdraw that comment about the interjection," the Bailiff told Deputy Trott.
He obliged, instead saying the comparison being drawn between a potential plane incident and medication is "silly".
"I (retract) it gladly, sir, because you're quite right, and I think standards have fallen, not necessarily in this assembly, but certainly outside of this assembly, in some of the language that's been used," said Deputy Trott. "Clearly an aircraft aquaplaning on a runway in Alderney, because of very heavy rain which was handled by the pilots, is very different to the life and death scenario that could emerge if someone didn't get the NICE drugs that they require. To call one item life and death when it was handled in the way I've explained, compared to NICE drugs is in my view a silly comparison. It may not be futile. I've retracted that, but it's certainly silly."
Alderney States Member Steve Roberts was on his feet this time, saying that the runway issue was not relevant to the debate, while Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller was also up complaining about the unparliamentary language being used.
The Bailiff allowed Deputy Trott to continue, but Alderney States Member Snowdon was shortly on his feet again accusing Deputy Trott of "belittling" the situation with Alderney runway, which he described as being "end of life".
As the debate continued, Deputy Trott replied, naming Mr Snowdon is in his speech.
"Alderney Representative Snowdon said that I, particularly me, but the Policy and Resources Committee collectively were playing with people's lives. We were doing no such thing. All I'm doing is telling this assembly the realities as a consequence of the decisions that have been made. In an attempt to personalise it, to blame the Policy and Resources Committee for something that isn't even under its mandate was a particular and repetitive attempt to cause a division in this assembly, and I simply won't stand for it sir."
Deputy Snowdon raised another point of order - this time accusing the Chief Minister of getting personal.
"...the issues have been raised, and I think you're putting words into my mouth at the moment Deputy Trott, which I do not appreciate," he said.
As the debate drew to a close, the Bailiff had to tell the assembly that "there is no real need to descend into personalities. This is about policy."
Without any further mention of the funding for NICE approved drugs being debated, the States meeting closed for the day.
Debate on the funding of NICE approved drugs will continue at 09:30.
Pictured: Alderney States Member, Steve Roberts.
Earlier in the day, Deputy Trott had also aimed shots at Alderney on another topic.
While answering questions about P&R's decision to reduce the subsidy paid for air travel for Alderney residents, the Chief Minister was asked if he had considered the impact of doing so on the least well off residents.
He said no, as that wasn't what P&R had been directed to do.
"...each and every resident of Alderney currently receives a subsidy equivalent to £5000 per capita per annum. £5000 that is in excess of what Alderney residents pay into the common purse.
"Now there are some exceptions, because they're not in full fiscal union, and an example was given this morning of the Alderney Gaming Commission receipts, which are for the exclusive use of Alderney. However, I am advised that the number of suspicious activity reports that are made as a consequence of that entity represent over nine out of 10 of every one that the Financial Intelligence Unit received.
"The manpower required to deal with those is significant and may now exceed the value of the Alderney Gaming Commission receipts that Alderney enjoys.
"It's a complex situation, but don't lose sight of the fact that the subsidy is already in excess of £5000 for every permanent resident of Alderney per year and growing."
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